Addictions

First, I apologize for being late with the blog this morning. I had it on my calendar to write it last night, but then ended up watching BONES with my son and daughter and promptly forgot. Even though the writers totally screwed up season 6, the payoff was worth it. I’d give it an A-. I don’t want to give away any spoilers, though! I’m just pleased that Season 9 of BONES is almost as good as the first five seasons.

As everyone who reads this blog regularly knows, television is my addiction. I love it, I think the writing and acting have jumped by leaps and bounds over twenty years ago — even ten years ago. Cable has really forced the tv industry to up its game, and we are the winners.

But I have another addiction. Coffee.

I’ve been drinking coffee regularly since I was a high school freshman, and my high school English teacher had a coffee pot in his classroom. Students would pay $1 into the jar every week, and he’d keep us in coffee. I wish I still had the mug that I carried with me during my four years of high school. It’s one of those mementoes that would certainly bring back memories. I don’t know if it broke, or if I left it in Mr. Jones’s classroom when I graduated.

Mr. Jones bought Peet’s Coffee because this was before Starbucks was big. Peet’s was two blocks from my high school and fostered my teenage addiction. While I love Starbucks–really, really love it–I prefer the specialty drinks there. The caramel macchiatos and for a special treat, an iced mocha if it’s over 100 degrees (I don’t care much for iced coffee!) But for straight up coffee, Peet’s is the best. (Except for the Starbucks Christmas Blend. For some reason, that coffee is one of my all-time favorites.)

In fact, I’ve been having 4 pounds of Peet’s coffee delivered to my house every month for the last 15 years — ever since I learned that they delivered.

I have a cup of coffee every morning when I wake up. Usually two. If my husband comes back home after dropping the kids off at school, he brings me Starbucks. After lunch, I make another pot of coffee and usually have 2-3 cups. And then in the evening, if I plan on writing (often) I have my Keurig for those one-cup cravings.

So yeah, I have a bit of a coffee addiction.

Writing is an addiction, too. I started writing when I was very young, in elementary school. There was nothing better than getting a fresh stack of lined paper at the beginning of the school year and knowing I would fill it with stories. When I was 13, my mom’s real estate office upgraded to computers and I got their old IBM Selectric typewriter. It was a huge, heavy red weapon. You could certainly kill someone with it it was so big and bulky. It was an amazing machine, and I wrote stories. When I got my first computer in college–an old, old MacIntosh, I wrote stories.

I couldn’t stop. Isn’t that what an addiction is? I can’t stop drinking coffee (nor do I want to); I can’t stop writing (and I certainly don’t want to!) Now, I have a new iMac. I finished one book last week and am writing a novella this week. I have a book out on Tuesday, and consider myself greatly blessed that I’m able to do what I love every day.

What’s your addiction?

Now … good news! COLD SNAP, book 7 in the Lucy Kincaid series, goes on sale TUESDAY! That’s only 5 days. I’m very excited about this book because all the Kincaid’s play a role — though Patrick, Lucy and Carina “star.”

The best thing is that the novella “Reckless,” originally published in ebook only last March, is printed in the back. See the pretty burst on the cover letting readers know they get a bonus story?

Allison Brennan is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of nearly three dozen romantic thrillers and mysteries, including the Lucy Kincaid series and the Max Revere series. She lives in Northern California with her husband, five children, and assorted pets.

28 comments on “Addictions”

Addictions, they form the framework of our lives:) For me writing, reading. coffee, time with loved ones, and wine (only one glass a day.) Oh, an chocolate, but I’m working on that one:) And the order isn’t in terms of priority:)

I started drinking coffee at about the same time. Dan is a Dunkin Donuts coffee addict which has no stores in Oregon. I buy the big bag at the grocery store to keep him happy. I was always a Starbucks drinker, but I don’t mind drinking this. It’s rather mild. I fought buying a Keurig for a long time. We drink by the pot; a Keurig would be a waste. I finally bought one for those afternoons when we want one cup and the pot is totally gone. We buy DD Keurig cups when we travel or beg relatives to mail them to us because they’re only sold at DD stores. Sheesh. The things we do for our coffee! The trailer isn’t working for me. Anyone else?

TV is my main addiction. It’s basically my whole life. I’m not even kidding. I watch so many shows, and they make me happy, and yesterday, my mom was looking at me weird because I was literally awwwing the whole time during Witches of East End, because it just made me SO HAPPY, happiness literally coursed through my body as I watched. I love shows that do this to me. I love that you’re addicted to tv, too, Allison! <3

I'm also addicted to my iPhone, I'm always playing with it somehow. Mostly on Twitter or Instagram, but also some game apps like Minion Rush. I can't go too long without just touching my phone.

My daughter loves the salted caramel mochas. I think that’s what it is. She’s not a big chocolate person, but these are her vice. She gets them non fat with no whipped cream. I stick with the skinny caramel macchiatos. 110 calories for the grande.

Addictions can be good, to a limit. Though I have to admit mine is not coffee… do not like the smell of it nor the taste and I know I am in a minority on this. I have been told I make good coffee though.
My addiction is Diet Pepsi though I am really trying to wean myself off of it completely. My other addiction is salted dry roasted peanuts.

Coffee !!!!! I am a huge Starbucks fan. I love the different gift cards. Seeing your different pictures will be my excuse to change every few weeks. In addition to coffee: handbags,ballet flats, and jewelry. OMG!! How could I forget chocolate ?

Oh, This is easy! My addictions are in no particular order: Coffee, M&Ms, Chocolate, reading, mystery TV, and triathlon. See? EASY! The M&M’s are listed separately because while I prefer the plain, I have to, HAVE TO, try every stupid flavor they come up with, every single time. And I will go out of my way to try them. As in if they are not available in my area or in a store I refuse to go to, I solicit help in getting it :p

Addictions, I have a few. Coffee for sure, reading, TV and ice cream. Those are the big 4. I did have a big chocolate addiction, couldn’t get enough but as I’ve gotten older I’m less a chocohalic. Still like an occassional Snickers or M&Ms but not like before.

I’ve got Cold Snap on my Nook, can’t wait for Tuesday. I’ve been wondering what Carina’s been up to.

TV (though I’ve really cut back and none of the new shows this year have really clicked for me), Diet Coke and ice cream. With ice cream like Dove bars it’s either the entire box or don’t have it in the house. Most of the time I don’t have them. When I eat all three (usually over several hours) I console myself by saying all three, which are now less than 9 oz., are about the equivalent of the original Dove bar which was invented nearby. Now I’ll be spending a few minutes remembering the good old days….

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Bio:

Allison Brennan

Allison Brennan is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of nearly three dozen romantic thrillers and mysteries, including the Lucy Kincaid series and the Max Revere series. She lives in Northern California with her husband, five children, and assorted pets.